It was a surreal experience for Jets running back Curtis Martin. So often in his NFL career he has sat in the locker room after a game while every nerve ending in his body screamed for relief.

Not last Sunday in Buffalo. Not after carrying just nine times in a 17-3 loss. There was no pain for Martin, who has averaged 22 carries per game over his career. At least, no physical pain.

“I’m not accustomed to coming out of the game, walking into the locker room, showering and being ready to go,” he said. “Usually I’m in so much pain I have to just there for 20 minutes … I’d rather feel the pain.”

The Jets (0-2) need Martin to inflict some big-time hurt on the Redskins (1-1) today when the teams meet at the Meadowlands. With Rick Mirer still trying to master the offense, the Jets have no greater weapon than Martin.

“I’m sure right now he’s hoping we start throwing the ball well because than he’s going to get his effective carries back,” said Mirer. “Because right now, they’re gearing up to stop Curtis because we’re not doing too much in the passing game. He’s the guy they’re worried about.”

Martin said he isn’t worried about getting his carries. He has always been a team player first. But this is one week when he should worry about getting the ball early and often.

The Jets need an offensive catalyst. Keyshawn Johnson is doing everything he can, but he can’t throw, beat double coverage, and catch the ball at the same time. Martin must be the man.

“I’m just itching to win,” Martin told The Post. “I’m not worried about how many times I get the ball or how many times I don’t. I’m just itching to win. However that happens, whether I get the ball once or get it 40 times, whatever it may be. Moreso than itching to get the ball, I’m itching to get a win.”

Against Buffalo last week, Jets coach Bill Parcells kept Mirer on a short leash, particulalry in the first half when the Jets attempted just nine passes. After falling behind 14-0, the Jets had to throw and Mirer attempted 19 more passes, completing 10.

He was 13-of-28 on the day and did not throw an interception. But the Jets only got 121 yards on those 13 completions and they never found the end zone. Mirer said he feels more comfortable with the offense and he’ll get his chance to prove it.

“Naturally, the longer he’s here the more comfortable he becomes but I can’t tell you exactly what his situation is,” said Parcells. “But he looks a little more comfortable, a little more confident. I think we’ll be a little more expansive this week than we have been.”

Mirer has much to prove. The former No.2 pick in the 1993 draft, Mirer has shuffled from Seattle to Chicago to Green Bay before landing with the Jets in a pre-season trade.

“He’s seen some adversity and the thing about it is you learn how to fight through it,” said Jets center Kevin Mawae. “You can go one of two ways. You can go to the bottom or you can fight to get back on top and I think that’s what Rick is going to do.”

That remains to be seen. The best sight, however, for the Jets, is a sore Curtis Martin sitting in his stall after the game.